Real Estate Agent Blends Business and Charity

Congratulations to Ben Salem! The Southland Regional Association of REALTORS® (SRAR) chose him as Good Samaritan of the Month for December 2010. For the association’s announcement visit: http://www.srar.com/node/946

The SRAR Good Samaritan program is designed to feature REALTORS® that have made a difference in their community through charitable and/or volunteer endeavors, according to SRAR. Monthly recipients are featured in the REALTOR® Report and their name is added to the Good Samaritan plaque hanging in the front lobby of SRAR.

Salem has been a member of the association since 2003. The following is an exerpt from SRAR’s announcement.

Working under the umbrella of Rodeo Realty, Ben Salem Properties donates 2% of every closed transaction to various charities. His colleagues have recognized him for his work educating industry professionals in the area of REO evictions and best practices. Ben has donated his time on a variety of panels that have been focused on borrowers’ rights; the difference between personal property and debris; techniques for occupancy determination; and how to break the ice with occupants.

In addition to the education he provides to his client base and peer group, Ben has become very active in an organization called “No Paws Left Behind”. “No Paws” is an organization that helps to care for abandoned animals that are victims of the current surge in foreclosures. They also work directly with families in foreclosure, providing assistance with vet bills, food, and help in finding pet-friendly alternative housing and money to cover deposits.

Ben teamed up with “No Paws” founder, Cheryl Lang to help raise awareness and funds to care for these animals by providing shelter until they can be transitioned into new homes. Lang estimates that nearly one million pets including dogs, cats, birds, horses and other animals are at risk as the foreclosure crisis mounts.

In April of this year, Ben and his Elite REO Team helped organize a Casino Night in Palm Springs that raised roughly $25,000.00 for “No Paws”. Funds raised for this event will cover costs including the care of pets left behind, support of local animal shelters, adoption, spaying, neutering and vaccinations. In many cases families are forced into choosing between buying groceries and caring for their pet.